Update from the Field: White Corn Down!
Posted by Dave Dyson, Agronomist on November 02, 2018
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Corn lodging resulting from stalk rot diseases can cause complications during harvest, loss of grain on the ground, and/or grain quality issues. A higher than normal incidence of stalk rot disease is evident in many fields across the Cornbelt this year. Stalk strength is further compromised due to the excessive wet and windy conditions brought on by hurricane and tropical storm systems that have come with this harvest season. Wet conditions not only favor the fungal pathogens causing stalk rot diseases, but also the common and beneficial microbes that have already begun to decompose dead plant tissue. While we like to see a darkening and discoloration of the stalks once the crop is harvested, seeing these color changes while the crop is in the field can be disturbing.
Two very important factors play a major role in the stalk strength of our crop while it is still out in the field. The first factor to consider is variety. As I was harvesting my variety test plot outside of Walton, Indiana, this week, I noticed a couple of varieties that had fallen flat on the ground. Since they were not on the outside of the plot, I knew wind was not the cause. If you have had issues in a particular field with corn lodging, steer clear of varieties with weak stalk strength.
The second factor every producer needs to consider is the use of a fungicide. Fungicides can help prevent stalk-weakening diseases. The likelihood of these diseases is increased with the presence of foul weather. While the fungicide is being applied, a PureGrade® fertilizer can be piggybacked with very little increased cost. This year, I have seen that applying a fungicide and keeping fungal diseases off the corn plant has increased yields by as much as twenty bushels per acre.
I have talked to many producers this past week who were shelling corn with reels on their corn heads due to lodged corn stalks in their fields. The majority had switched a few weeks ago to soybean harvest and left their corn to “dry a few more points in the field”. This can be somewhat dangerous though, as leaving corn to dry in the field exposes the crop to unfavorable weather conditions, as well as wildlife damage. As mentioned, a crop with weak stalk strength is more vulnerable to yield losses from stalk lodging and ear drop when unseemly weather occurs. The Ohio State University published a study measuring yields at different harvested dates. On average, yields started to decrease dramatically due to lodging after November 1st. The difference in yield was about 13% between the October and December harvest dates.
Figure 1: This picture shows a European corn borer hollowing out a giant rag weed, disrupting the herbicide from translocating to the roots. This picture was taken near Kokomo, IN in 2018.
Agronomists at the University of Wisconsin have developed a “Field Loss Calculator”, an Excel spreadsheet that allows producers to calculate the costs of harvesting today versus allowing the crop to stand in the field and harvesting later. The spreadsheet accounts for higher drying costs versus grain losses during field drying. It allows the user to account for elevator discounts and grain shrink. The calculator is available here: http://corn.agronomy.wisc.edu/Season/DSS.aspx.
In conclusion, take a stand against fallen corn stalks! Keep the plant healthy throughout the growing season by applying a high-quality fertilizer, such as Overpass® CF, and a fungicide. If we keep the plant healthy and alive longer throughout late summer and early fall, the corn crop will be less likely to lose yield due to lodging.
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Dave Dyson is a regional agronomist for The Andersons’ Farm Centers which are located throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. He is an Indiana native and grew up on a dairy farm in Miami County. A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Crop & Soil Science, Dave has a deep knowledge of various agronomic topics and is committed to helping growers improve their crops. If you have any questions, Dave can be reached at david_dyson@andersonsinc.com.
